On the afternoon of August 18, 2022, Former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak, visited Hai Phong City. On behalf of Hai Phong City People’s Committee, Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman, chaired the meeting with Mr. Ehud Barak, with the participation of Colonel General, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh and representatives of relevant Departments.
As shared by Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Hai Phong City is one of biggest cities in Vietnam, is growing day by day and looking forward to seize opportunities to go further and grow stronger. Observing successes and miracles which have achieved by Israel, Hai Phong wish to learn valuable lessons gained by Israel. Sharing some main features of Hai Phong City’s current achievements in fields of economy and society, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City People’s Committee expressed his impression of Israeli miracles during previous decades even when Israel was facing difficulties.
Thanks to comments of Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh and Vice Chairman, Mr. Ehud Barak shared that Israel has no secrets nor miracles expect a word of “legend”. As Mr. Ehud Barak mentioned, Israel had started with first steps like Vietnam, sharing some common features regarding politics, administrative system, Israel has a smaller size than Vietnam and terrain is mainly desert. From the very beginning, Israel has aligned with certain strategic policies to achieve their targets. First, investment in education, encouraging thinking of creativity, imagination and questioning in generations from very early ages. Second, calling for foreign direct investment through preferential policies and creating favourable conditions as tax exemption and reduction in each period, rewarding to big high-tech companies for establishment of companies, factories, R&Ds in Israel. Mr. Ehud Barak gave an example regarding a $5 billion investment package of Intel Group into Israel, the latter preferred a reward of 600 million to the company, and after operating their office in Israel, the Intel has continued to open the second one in the country. Specific policies to call on Jewish talents to come back to Israel after their 05 or 10 years studying and working overseas. A number of Jew expertise have decided to back to Israel for their startups and doing business. Besides, Mr. Ehud Barak mentioned, there has been about 7,000 Jew experts working for foreign companies including leading ones. They have been sources for Israel to consider and implement appropriate policies to develop its economic performance.
Spending couples of days in Vietnam, visiting many places, Mr. Ehud Barak is very impressed with the energy and spirit of Vietnamese people. He visited Trang Kenh Historic and Relics Complex, which gave him a better understanding about Vietnam’s previous glories.